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Original poster

Positive PCR. Can someone tell me if I've got this right?

23 replies

VladmirsPoutine · 17/12/2021 07:51

Thus far I think my family have had it pretty good but alas.

My sister tested positive on Tuesday via LFT and has been isolating since. This morning her PCR came back positive but the 10 days of isolation takes us to 23rd December. Does that mean she'll be ok to come to ours on Xmas eve? Is it also the case that you shouldn't do another PCR within a 30 day period? After an isolation period of 10 days what would someone still test positive using a LFT?

This truly the worst period for this!!

OP posts:
gettingolderandgrumpy · 17/12/2021 07:54

If 10 days isolating ends on 23rd then it’s fine to go out on 24th onwards. I believe you can still test positive 90 days afterwards.

Apandemicyousay · 17/12/2021 07:55

If she’s immune competent it is assumed she will have cleared live virus by day 10. They recommend you don’t test as you can shed dead virus for sometime which will be detected as positive by LFD or PCR.

However if she does a LFD at home and it is negative you’ll be reassured. Regardless if she’s done her 10 days, you’re allowed to meet.

Bubblty · 17/12/2021 08:01

She can (horray)

TheVampiresWife · 17/12/2021 08:05

It doesn't matter if she tests positive on LFT after her isolation ends (DH tested positive for seven weeks!). She won't be infectious.

No tests for 90 days, unless she has new symptoms.

Absolutely fine to meet on the 24th. Have a lovely Christmas!

Original poster
VladmirsPoutine · 17/12/2021 08:06

Oh Great!! So isolating from the day she experienced symptoms and did a test means after 10 days you're good to go regardless?
Thank heaves, another day or two later and it would have been a different story.

OP posts:
LethargeMarg · 17/12/2021 08:10

I think it counts as ten days after your positive test though ? So it should be the 24th is her last day of isolation. The day you test is day 0. If she was symptomatic before that then it will be different but the first day of symptoms or positive test doesn't count in your ten days

MrPoppysParka · 17/12/2021 08:12

The 10 days take you to Christmas Eve unfortunately, not the 23rd. Her first day out of isolation would be Christmas Day.

PrincessConsuelaBananahamm0ck · 17/12/2021 08:21

As PP has said, positive LFT on Tuesday makes Tuesday 'day zero'. You count from there, which unfortunately means her last day of isolation is Christmas Eve. She'll be free on Christmas Day though.

ponygirlcurtis · 17/12/2021 08:23

When she got her positive PCR result sent to her, did she get a link to Test and Protect with a code? That should take you to a page where you can input your symptoms' start date (or test date if no symptoms) and it will give her the isolation period. It sounds like up to and including the 23rd is about right though - my DS started showing symptoms on Monday and had a positive PCR test and his isolation period was given as up to the 22nd. I think the guidelines also state that no LFTs or PCRs should be done for 90 days, unless new symptoms are present - combination of likelihood of getting a false positive, and also your body should have antibodies that mean you are unlikely to catch it again within that period. Although I could be wrong about the reasons behind the 90 days!

So enjoy seeing your sister on the 24th and have a good Christmas! 🌲

(I have now tested positive so our isolation has now extended to the 25th, with older DS still negative and determined not to catch it so it's going to be a very strange Christmas... Sad)

InTheLabyrinth · 17/12/2021 08:25

I think isolation end 23.59 on the 24th.
Also, I've not looked for it officially, but some people on here are saying if symptoms start (I'm assuming asymptomatic since it was lateral flow that picked it up) the 20 days restart. Might be worth checking that.

tangyandsalty · 17/12/2021 08:34

@LethargeMarg

I think it counts as ten days after your positive test though ? So it should be the 24th is her last day of isolation. The day you test is day 0. If she was symptomatic before that then it will be different but the first day of symptoms or positive test doesn't count in your ten days
No it doesn't.
Itstheprinciple · 17/12/2021 08:42

10 days is from first day of symptoms or from day PCR taken if no symptoms.

ponygirlcurtis · 17/12/2021 08:53

Just to clarify our timeline, if it's helpful:
DS had symptoms on the 13th and was tested that day. The Test and Protect website gave his isolation period as 13th-22nd (up to and including the 22nd) and sent a text with that information, and e-mailed me a copy as official proof for work.

Blupblup · 17/12/2021 08:59

If she has the nhs covid app it will tell her exactly when her isolation ends. Isolation starts on day first symptoms start OR day of positive test if asymptomatic and is 10 full days after that day. So for your sister that means isolation should finish at midnight on 24th/25th

jassixa · 17/12/2021 09:00

@Itstheprinciple

10 days is from first day of symptoms or from day PCR taken if no symptoms.
But OP’s sister took an LFT - i.e. she was symptomless.

Therefore her isolation period is the day she took the PCR test and the next ten full days.

TuesdayRuby · 17/12/2021 09:04

I mean Hmm if she came over to yours at 7pm on Christmas Eve I don’t think the Covid police would come and arrest her. I’m not sure the virus magically disappears at 23.59 like Cinderella Smile

MrPoppysParka · 17/12/2021 09:10

@Itstheprinciple

10 days is from first day of symptoms or from day PCR taken if no symptoms.
No, the 10 days start the day after.
LittleBabyCheeses · 17/12/2021 09:13

@TuesdayRuby

I mean Hmm if she came over to yours at 7pm on Christmas Eve I don’t think the Covid police would come and arrest her. I’m not sure the virus magically disappears at 23.59 like Cinderella Smile
Exactly this.
Original poster
VladmirsPoutine · 17/12/2021 09:14

The text they sent her says from the 1st test which surely was the LFT. So I calculated that takes us to the 23rd. What a PITA.

OP posts:
Anjo2011 · 17/12/2021 09:20

We has covid beginning of Nov. If your sister has had a call from track and trace she would have answered some questions. That’s what happened with us, thar include questions about symptoms. The email they send to you confirms your last day of isolation.

jassixa · 17/12/2021 09:44

@VladmirsPoutine

The text they sent her says from the 1st test which surely was the LFT. So I calculated that takes us to the 23rd. What a PITA.
No, LFT isn’t used as a tracker for isolation.

It’s your first day or symptoms plus ten full days

OR

Your day of PCR test plus ten full days

It’s very clear on the NHS/Gov website.

jassixa · 17/12/2021 09:45

If she took the PCR test on Tuesday then she is out of isolation at 00:00 on Christmas Day. In other words, Christmas Eve is her last day of isolation.

I get the feeling this may not be followed…

Blupblup · 17/12/2021 09:47

Even if it's from the LFT on Tuesday, it's the day of the test PLUS 10 full days which is until the end of the day on Christmas Eve.

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